Farooq Abdullah Claims Centre Brought Rohingyas to Jammu, Defends Providing Basic Amenities
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah stated on Tuesday that the Central government had brought Rohingyas to Jammu, and it was the responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir government to provide them with basic amenities.
Abdullah responded to accusations from the local BJP leadership, which had alleged a “larger political conspiracy” by the NC in allowing around 14,000 Rohingyas and Bangladeshis to settle in Jammu. The BJP chief spokesperson, Sunil Sethi, had criticized the NC for “favoring” these illegal settlers, suggesting that the support would not have been extended if they belonged to a different religion. Abdullah firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing that the settlement of these individuals was orchestrated by the Indian government and that the J&K government was obligated to provide them with water, electricity, and other basic services.
Additionally, Abdullah opposed the concept of the “double-engine government,” referring to the dual power centers of the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister in J&K. He argued that there should only be one power center, which should be the elected government, and that statehood for J&K must be restored. He also reiterated the government’s promise to restore statehood, which he claimed had been pledged before the Supreme Court.
Regarding the region’s power shortages, Abdullah attributed the problem to a prolonged dry spell, which led to insufficient rain and snowfall. He assured efforts were underway to address the issue. He also stressed the importance of environmental preservation and called for collective efforts to combat environmental degradation. Abdullah further acknowledged that J&K’s healthcare system was in a poor state and required immediate government attention.